J-Term Seminar: Diplomacy & Human Rights in the Mediterranean

France • The Netherlands • Morocco • Spain 

December 29, 2025 - January 16, 2026

The promotion of human rights can seem uncontroversial. They are a focal point for the United Nations Charter and are repeatedly invoked as important objectives in the foreign policy of both the United States and the European Union. What role can diplomacy play in promoting human rights abroad? Do outsiders have any business telling other countries how to govern their own affairs? Can we even agree on what human rights are? This study tour explores the challenges facing those who would use the tools of diplomacy to promote human rights in Europe and North Africa. From migration to gender, from religion to education and housing, we will explore what human rights are, how diplomacy can promote them, and why the Mediterranean is such a rich and complex arena in which to observe the challenges of striving for a more humane world. 

Please note: IAU reserves the right to cancel programs due to low enrollment. Itineraries are tentative and subject to change at the discretion of IAU. Students should consult with an IAU advisor prior to purchasing their flights.

Academics

Students can choose one of the following courses:

• International Relations 355: Diplomacy & Human Rights in the Mediterranean
• Political Science 355: Diplomacy & Human Rights in the Mediterranean
  

View the 2024 syllabus here. 
View the updated 2025 syllabus here. All content and the itinerary is subject to change.

Itinerary

View the 2025 itinerary here. All details are tentative and subject to change. IAU reserves the right to alter the itinerary.

About the Professor

Dr. Gregory Mose is a professor of international law and politics at IAU. He received his AB in English Literature from Harvard College and his JD from Duke University School of Law. He earned his PhD in public law in a joint program with Aix-Marseille University and the University of Hamburg. Dr. Mose’s research has focused on the intersections of law, politics and human rights, with a particular focus on conflicts involving religious freedom and other cultural values. He teaches courses on comparative politics, the European Union, human rights, and international humanitarian law. Outside of academia, Dr. Mose’s professional experience includes working as a legal expert for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in West Africa and as a corporate lawyer in London. He has lived in France since 2005 and speaks English, French, and Dutch.

Program Fees

Please view the Program Fees page for details. 

Did you know? Students who enroll in a January Term Seminar and the spring semester at one of IAU's campuses consecutively are eligible to receive a $2,000 grant credited to their spring semester invoice. In order to be eligible to receive the grant, students must participate in the Early Start Program during the week between the end of the January Term Seminar and the start of the spring semester. The Early Start Program allows students to move in with their hosts a week before the semester begins, receive language instruction, and participate in local cultural activities! Visit IAU's Scholarship page for additional details.